Horse Groom

Keep horses clean and healthy.

Quick Stats

Outlook

Good

Salary Range

$16,000 – $32,000

Data from U.S. Department of Labor

What do Horse Grooms do?

Have you spent a lot of time around horses? Do you feel comfortable working with and around them? If so, you might want to consider a job as a Horse Groom. A Horse Groom position allows you to work one-on-one with horses, handling everything from bathing to health issues.

As a Horse Groom, you might work on a large ranch where you prepare the horses for the workday and clean them up when they return from the fields. Or, you might work with race horses, braiding manes and tails. You might also care for horses that take part in competitions, horse shows, or performances.

Regardless of the horse’s job, your job is to make sure they’re ready for it. You brush and rub the coat, and keep a watchful eye out for cuts or sores on the skin. If the horse has any wounds or swelling, you’re the one to find it during your exam. You also look for missing shoes, clean out the eyes, and clip its hair as needed.

You have your own special tools to make your job easier. After all, not every person off the street could clean and trim the hooves of a several hundred-pound equine. So you use brushes, clippers, and files to make the animal shimmer with health and beauty, and also to reduce skin problems, such as rashes and chafing. If the horse could talk, you’d hear a great big “Thanks!”

Should I be a Horse Groom?

You should have
a
certificate
degree or higher and share these traits:

Detail Oriented:
You pay close attention to all the little details.

Reliable:
You can always be counted on to do a good job.

Flexible:
You're open to change and think variety is the spice of life.